AFC Telford United
AFC Telford United is a football club based in Telford, Shropshire, England. The club was formed in 2004 after the original Telford United, founded in 1872, folded due to financial problems. Currently members of the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, they play home matches at the New Bucks Head in Wellington, part of the new town of Telford. Their colours are white and black.
Telford United, then playing in the Football Conference, experienced severe financial difficulties towards the end of the 2003–04 season following the collapse of the Miras Contracts business of chairman and sole shareholder Andy Shaw.[3] The club went into administration, and although supporters raised around £50,000 in two months, the club’s debts totalled over £4 million, resulting in liquidation on 27 May 2004.[4] On the same day, Telford United Supporters Limited announced that a new club would be formed,[3] which was named AFC Telford United; a new club motto, numquam obliviscere (never forget) was also adopted. In June the new club were placed in Division One of the Northern Premier League by the Football Association.[5] Bernard McNally was appointed as manager and a new squad assembled.[6]
The new club’s first season saw them finish third in Division One,[7] qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Eastwood Town 1–0 in the semi-final, they defeated Kendal Town 2–1 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division.[8] The attendance of 4,215 for the final was a club record.[9] The following season saw them finish tenth. During the season, McNally was replaced as manager by Rob Smith.[10] In 2006–07 the club finished third, having missed the chance to win the league when they lost 2–1 at home to eventual champions Burscough on the final day;[11] the attendance of 5,710 being a new club record.[12] However, they qualified for the promotion play-offs, and a 2–0 win over Marine in the semi-final, they defeated Witton Albion 3–1 to earn promotion to the Conference North.[13]
